I already understand the concept and figured this will be our best deal for our 7 day visit. A few Questions: 1) Do adults need the photo ID to purchase the Card from the Railway Station? 2) Is London Bridge Rail Station the closest train station to Southwark - near the Tate? 3) Does anyone have any suggestions for which 2 for 1 offers are worth getting (other than the Tower of London)? 4) Lastly, on our 7th day we are headed to Paris for six days - then returning to London and staying one night before going to LHR. Since the Travel Card will still have the 5 pound deposit (won't cash it in until we get to LHR) - can it then be treated like an Oyster Card and we can just add enough to make it come out to -0-? Thanks
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
1- yes- new requirement. You can get photos made at a booth at the station, or take extras with you. The actual photo id card is free. If you have pictures made at the booth, there is a small charge for the pictures. 2- not certain 3- haven't seen the current offers, so not sure
4- there is not a deposit onthe paper travel card that you purchase at the National Rail stations that is used for the 2-4-1 offers. It is not like an Oyster card. It is only valid for the original 7 days and you can't 'cash it in'. Oyster cards are a way to pay for fares. You CAN load a 7 day card on an Oyster at a tube ticket office, but it is NOT valid for the 2-4-1 offers. For your last day, just by a single fare paper ticket or a 1 day paper travel card.
Posted by
OP
California Central Coast, CA., USA
18 posts
So the 7 day travelcard that you get from the railway station - that then becomes eligible for the 2 for 1 - is a paper ticket - which differs from the regular 7 day travel card - which is actually an Oyster Card with the 5 pound deposit - is that correct?
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Yes, the National Rail travelcard (either one day or seven days) is a paper card and has the National Rail logo on it. 2. Waterloo is closer to Southwark than is London Bridge. All three stations are on the Jubilee Tube line. 4. If you load a 7-day travelcard on an Oyster card, you don't have to pay a deposit. If you only load pay-as-you-go pounds on it, then a deposit is required.
Posted by
OP
California Central Coast, CA., USA
18 posts
Thank you - But it still seems like it would be in our best interest to get the paper travel card - 7 days - from the RR station to get the 2 4 1 - in that even if you go to one site (like the Tower Of London) - then you're ahead of the game.
Posted by
Southern California
443 posts
Jerry,
Yes, since it doesn't cost any more to have the paper card, it's worth it if there's an offer for something you want to see anyway. My husband and I used it last fall for Kew Gardens and the Golden Hinde and saved about £20. We take the Heathrow Express on our last day since I'm always worried about being late, so we didn't have to use the Tube that day (took a taxi to the train station).